Heavily feathered hooved dug into the earth with each movement. Adelheid did not so much as stomp away from Solomon and Eve, as merely moved with purpose. Purpose to hide the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overtake her consciousness. Words that she dared not speak threatened to tumble forth, lingering on the tips of her lips. Silently, she followed Iris’ retreat, the tang of blood still on her tongue. Their lack of words was a relief,she could not think of what she would have wanted to say, or even if she could explain her words. Instead, she simply followed, sinking further and further into the depths of her own mood.

When the faces of the Peaks peered at them, and the shadows covered their bodies, Adelheid looked over at Iris. Her face was a glare, her ears laced into her mane, flat against her neck. Her face turned instantly away, trying to hide the misplaced anger she felt towards Iris and breath through the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotions when she had tried for so many years to convince herself she had no right to dare to dream. She did not look back, though her skin shuddered at the gentle caress of Iris’ lips. By the time Adelheid’s face turned back, Iris was already gone. Something, something she confused to be rage, burned through the mare’s viens. With a colorful curse, she whipped herself around and stormed through the paths of the Peak, knowing she would need to unleash some of her fury onto the stone before she could face her children.

Days were about to turn into weeks and she had not spoken to the spotted mare. She refused to seek her out, allowing her own stubbornness to take hold. Iris had made it clear a number of times, Adelheid’s presence was less than welcome. Concern had kept the Vulcan close to her side, determined to keep her promise and to keep the mare safe. After what had happened and Iris’ coldness to Adelheid’s own frigid nature, she was more than happy to simply let her be. Still, the warmth of her lips against her flesh… the subtle heat she was slowly beginning to recognize the meaning of.

Adelheid watched her children roam together, her eyes narrowed slightly. Her son seemed to have gotten into trouble and now she stood protectively in the realm of the Peak, more alert to any who would be meaning the inhabitants harm. Over the days, she had fallen into the comfort of her children, letting their presence distract her from the complications twisting in her chest. Using them as an excuse not to face reality, she let her mind wander to her responsibilities so she could suppress her desires.

At of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimmer of movement. Air sucked out of her lungs when she realized it was Iris. Somewhere, somehow, Adelheid felt as though she had been lingering there for a while, through the days and the seasons, just on the other side of their self-imposed boundaries. A single ear flicked and she sighed in the general direction of the blanketed paint. It was as much of an invitation as she could muster.

At least until another scent hit her nose.

Adelheid screamed into the air, her hooves striking out in front of her, head tossing in rage.

What. The. FUCK. Is wrong with STALLIONS coming into the PEAK without SAYING HELLO or ASKING if THEY CAN COME IN! She snarled, barreling towards the pale stallion, pulling up just in front of him, teeth bared into a snarl. We don’t come WALKING into YOUR lands without at least KNOCKING first! I should HAVE YOUR HEAD! What RIGHT do you have?! Her open mouth snapped shut as his words and friendly nature towards Iris. She could feel her heart plummet, crashing through her body to fall deeper into an abys deep in the craters of the earth. Ears back, teeth bared, and eyes wide, she looked over at Iris. Do you know him? Do you want me to kill him? It was all her rushed mind could think of, stifling the unknown and unwelcome fear that this stallion might have also felt the warmth of Iris’s lips.